It all comes down to this. — the moment we've all been waiting for — the Aces vs. Liberty in the 2023 WNBA finals.
LIVE: Updates, highlights from Liberty vs. Aces Game 1
It's just how basketball fans expected things to go. The league's superteams absolutely dominated this season, both leading in just about every category tracked in the league.
Las Vegas swept both of its playoff opponents to reach the Finals, but New York has the recent head-to-head advantage. In August, the two teams played each other four times in a three-week span, and the Liberty came out on top in all but one of those games. New York is one of just two teams to beat the Aces on their home court this season — winning the Commissioner's Cup Michelob ULTRA Arena in August. If we know anything about A'ja Wilson, however, she won't want that to happen again. On the flip side, New York knows how to take down the reigning champs, as it is the only team to defeat Las Vegas more than once this season.
If Candace Parker was available to play, this may be an entirely different series but the injury she sustained in July will keep her on the sidelines, leaving the Aces without a huge piece to their puzzle — Parker is an absent key that won't go unnoticed.
MORE: Latest foot injury news, updates on Candace Parker's status for WNBA Playoffs
Will the Liberty win their first WNBA Championship behind 2023 MVP Breanna Stewart? Or will the Aces win their second consecutive title behind 2022 MVP Wilson?
Here's what you need to know to watch New York and Las Vegas compete in Game 1 of the WNBA finals.
Where to watch New York Liberty vs. Las Vegas Aces
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 8
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- TV channel: ABC
- Live stream: ESPN, Sling TV
Game 1 of the WNBA Finals will air on ABC. Viewers can watch each game of the series on Sling TV.
Sign up for Sling TV to watch your favorite live sports, news and entertainment. There are no long-term contracts and you can change your channel lineup anytime. Sling base packages (Sling Orange or Sling Blue) start at $40 per month. Sling Orange + Blue starts at $55 per month. DVR is included along with thousands of on-demand shows and movies.
Paths to WNBA Finals
New York Liberty
First round
(2) New York Liberty vs (7) Washington Mystics — Liberty win 2-0
| Date | Game | Result |
| Sept. 15 | Game 1 | Liberty 90, Mystics 75 |
| Sept. 19 | Game 2 | Liberty 90, Mystics 85 (OT) |
Semifinals
(2) New York Liberty vs (3) Connecticut Sun — Liberty win 3-1
| Date | Game | Result |
| Sept. 24 | Game 1 | Sun 78, Liberty 63 |
| Sept. 26 | Game 2 | Liberty 84, Sun 77 |
| Sept. 29 | Game 3 | Liberty 92, Sun 81 |
| Oct. 1 | Game 4 | Liberty 87, Sun 84 |
Las Vegas Aces
First round
(1) Las Vegas Aces vs (8) Chicago Sky — Aces win 2-0
| Date | Game | Result |
| Sept. 13 | Game 1 | Aces 87, Sky 59 |
| Sept. 17 | Game 2 | Aces 92, Sky 70 |
Semifinals
(1) Las Vegas Aces vs (4) Dallas Wings — Aces win 3-0
| Date | Game | Result |
| Sept. 24 | Game 1 | Aces 97, Wings 83 |
| Sept. 26 | Game 2 | Aces 91, Wings 84 |
| Sept. 29 | Game 3 | Aces 64, Wings 61 |